Dry skin and concealer don’t always mix—take it from someone who has combination skin that gets dry more often than not. Although it took me a while to find the right formulas that work for my skin type, I’m happy to report that there are more winners out there on the market than you think.
For starters, those with drier skin will want to look for formulas that provide long-lasting hydration so no pesky cracks, creases, or the dreaded flakes rear their ugly heads. Products with added skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and shea butter can really help with dryness. You’ll probably also want to avoid formulas that mattify since those are likely to make your skin even drier. Don’t take my word for it, though. Makeup artists agree and have a few concealer recommendations for dry skin below. For all their picks and a few of my own favourites, keep scrolling.
“This has a serum-like consistency that is perfect for dry skin. It provides lasting coverage and additional hydrating, leaving a beautiful finish on the skin.” —Sara Talias, editorial makeup artist
“The Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer is a tried-and-true formula that creates a thin veil of coverage under the eyes. The light texture provides enough moisture for dry skin and lasts all day.” —Talias
“The Kosas Revealer Concealer is so dewy and creamy, creating a radiant finish for a dry under-eye area. I love the clean ingredients and the skincare elements. This is a great concealer to dot under eyes during the day.” —Talias
“I love the Hourglass Airbrush Concealer. It is so creamy and hydrating for a dry under eye!” — Allison Kaye, celebrity makeup artist
You’ll no doubt know how Estee Lauder’s holy grail Double Wear foundation is one of the best long-wearing foundations out there, but if you’re yet to try to the concealer in the range, take this as your sign. It provides medium to full coverage, and offers a radiant finish, making it ideal for both highlighting and concealing. Thanks to the addition of chia, camelina and kukui nut oils, this formula is intensely hydrating on dry skin.
Tarte’s cult-loved formula is my go-to everyday concealer. This particular version of the formula is great for dry skin because it provides the same amount of coverage with a few added hydration boosters like hyaluronic acid, mango butter, prickly pear, avocado butter, and shea butter. I can also personally vouch for the fact that this formula never creases, cracks, or flakes.
Rare Beauty’s Liquid Touch Foundation is one of my top formulas, and the concealer of the same name is equally as good. I love that it’s so lightweight but locks in serious moisture with a blend of botanical ingredients like sunflower seed oil and lotus flower extract.
A multi-active blend of magnolia bark extract, grape-seed extract, and vitamin E in this formula helps to hydrate, firm, and strengthen the skin barrier, making it a great option for dry, compromised skin.
If you’re a fan of Ilia’s cult-loved skin tint, the brand’s serum concealer will also be right up your alley. It’s infused with nourishing ingredients like vitamin C to brighten, aloe leaf juice, and Albizia Julibrissin bark extract to promote smooth, supple skin.
Milk Makeup’s Future Fluid is another creamy formula I love because I’ve never seen it crease once and it smooths out the skin like no other. That’s all thanks to powerhouse ingredients like hyaluronic acid, caffeine, aloe vera, and arnica in the formula that support and protect the skin barrier while adding a serious dose of hydration.
This full-coverage formula from E.l.f. hydrates and soothes the skin with sodium hyaluronate and rose flower water. I’ve put this product to the test myself as well and really liked it for the price.
This is another favourite of mine along with Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation. Both provide such a gorgeous, airbrushed finish on the skin. This concealer also provides up to 24 hours of hydration so you can guarantee it won’t crease or look crazy by the end of the night.
Flawless Fusion provides up to 12 hours of crease-resistant wear and contains an exclusive blend of flexible, long-wearing polymers that are transfer-, sweat-, and humidity-resistant. Silk powder and silica also help create a smooth, light-diffusing film on skin that blurs the look of fine lines.
